Deucravacitinib offers a targeted, well-tolerated oral option for patients with psoriatic arthritis, with efficacy comparable to biologics and meaningful benefits in patient-reported outcomes.
In part 2 of an interview with Pharmacy Times, Philip J. Mease, MD, director of rheumatology research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and clinical professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, discussed the clinical role of deucravacitinib (Sotyktu; Bristol Myers Squibb), the first and only tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor
Mease highlighted that TYK2 inhibition selectively targets key inflammatory cytokines, including IL-23, IL-12, and interferon pathways, distinguishing it mechanistically from broader Janus kinase inhibitors and offering a more targeted immunomodulatory approach. Clinical trial data from the phase 3 POETYK PsA-1 (NCT04908202) and PsA-2 (NCT04908189) demonstrated that deucravacitinib achieved American College of Rheumatology 20 response rates comparable to established biologic therapies, while also improving skin symptoms, physical function, and overall quality of life—outcomes that align closely with patient priorities such as pain reduction and fatigue improvement.
From a safety perspective, Mease emphasized that deucravacitinib maintains a favorable profile, with relatively low rates of serious infections, cardiovascular events, and malignancies. Common adverse events, such as upper respiratory infections and herpes simplex, should still be addressed through patient counseling, but overall tolerability supports its use as a long-term therapy option. The drug’s once-daily oral administration further enhances its appeal, particularly for patients who prefer to avoid injectable therapies or have complex lifestyles that make biologic storage and administration challenging.
Importantly, deucravacitinib’s dual indication for both psoriasis and PsA positions it as a versatile option across the disease spectrum, supporting coordinated care between dermatology and rheumatology. For pharmacists, this evolving therapeutic landscape underscores the importance of patient education on adherence, infection risk, and treatment expectations, as well as collaboration with prescribers to optimize individualized treatment strategies.
